Man who allegedly murdered three women in Oregon and dumped their bodies pleads not guilty

Jesse Calhoun, a 39-year-old man from Oregon, faces serious murder charges after being linked to the deaths of at least three women last year. Calhoun pleaded not guilty Thursday in court in Portland to charges of second-degree murder and abuse of a corpse.

Calhoun, who was being held on a parole violation, was recently transferred from Snake River Correctional Institution to the Multnomah County Jail to face the new charges.

Thursday’s hearing concluded with Calhoun pleading not guilty to all charges, including second-degree abuse of a corpse, according to Law&Crime.

The victims, Charity Lynn Perry, 24, Bridget Leanne Webster, 31, and Joanna Speaks, 32, were found dead under suspicious circumstances in different locations over a span of three months during 2023.

Perry was found in a wooded area near Ainsworth State Park in April, Webster was found next to a creek about 75 miles southwest of Portland, and Speaks was found in an abandoned house north of Portland.

The connection between Calhoun and the victims, as well as his possible motives, remain the subject of investigation by authorities.

The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office has noted that the deaths of two other women, Kristin Smith and Ashley Real, both 22, are also under investigation, although their direct relationship to Calhoun has not been confirmed.

Senior Deputy Prosecutor Melissa Marrero highlighted the complexity of the case and the need for a thorough investigation involving multiple law enforcement agencies. “These cases are intricate and require a meticulous and coordinated investigation,” said Marrero. “There is still work to do. “Investigations are ongoing,”

This case has attracted additional attention because Calhoun had been released early from prison in 2021 thanks to a pardon granted by former Oregon Governor Kate Brown. The pardon was granted in recognition of his good behavior and his involvement in prison fire crews during the devastating 2020 bushfires.

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